Summary of The 29:16 Version:

2:30 p.m. Eastern:
1). Beginning of The World Today announcement, concluding with "go ahead, New York." (total time is :13) (00:00-00:13)

2). Silence (for 8 seconds). (00:13-00:21)

3). Is this broadcast missing 4-5 minutes (perhaps of John Daly's "early details?" as stated in Trout, NPR 1999).

4). Albert Warner From Washington (total time is 5:30): (:21-5:51 in clip). The White House is putting out a statement on the Japanese attack. The attack was made on all naval and military activities on the principle island of Oahu. The president's brief statement was read to reporters by Steve Early, the White House Press Secretary. A Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor naturally would mean war. Naturally the President would ask Congress for a declaration of war. There is no doubt that such a declaration would be granted. The two Japanese envoys, Namura and Kurusu are at the State Department in a meeting with Secretary Hull. Hostilities seem to be opening over the entire South Pacific. Regardless of what the diplomats are saying, Japan has now cast the die. Yesterday Japanese troops were steaming for Thailand. It was based on this information that Roosevelt sent a personal message to the Emperor of Japan last night, a message of restraint and peace. If the Japanese attempt to attack Thailand, or have attacked Pearl Harbor, the delicate balance of peace is destroyed. The Japanese have been warned not to attack Thailand, that if they did, it would mean counter military action. The meeting with Secretary Hull was requested by the Japanese envoys. The meeting was to begin at 1:45 p.m. They arrived late, and were kept waiting. They did not meet with Hull until 2:20. In the meantime, the President was preparing the statement that Japan was attacking Pearl Harbor from the air. It may be that the envoys wanted to assure Hull that the reports of Japanese troops movements in Indochina were exaggerated. Speculation on the steps that would be taken, possibly beginning today, if the Japanese did attack Pearl Harbor. Just now comes the word that an attack has taken place on army and navy bases in Manila. Warner says "we return you now to New York" (to Daly).

5). John Daly introduces the European scene and sends coverage to Bob Trout in London (total time is 25 seconds). (5:51-6:16 in clip).

6). Bob Trout reports from London (total time is 3 minutes, 46 seconds). (6:16-10:02 in clip) This comes at 6:16 in this clip, but according to Bob Trout (NPR 1999) he began this broadcast at 2:41, specifically saying it was 11 minutes into the broadcast. This supports the notion that there are about 4-5 minutes missing from the beginning of the broadcast, when Daly was giving details and then introduced Albert Warner in Washington. Trout sidesteps the British reaction aspect, since they knew nothing about the event at the time, and instead spends most of his time talking about the Libyan campaign and the British attitude toward propaganda. He then returns coverage to New York.

7). John Daly from New York (total time is 36 seconds). (10:02-10:38 in clip). Daly recapitulates that the White House reported today of Japanese attacks in Hawaii, and in Manila in the Philippines. Bob Trout reported just a moment ago of a resumption of hostilities on the Libyan front on a major scale. Daly says that the events in Africa are interesting but it's the Far East that will hold center stage. Daly introduces Major George Fielding Eliot, CBS's military expert, for an assessment of the situation.

8: Major George Fielding Eliot (total time is 4 minutes, 35 seconds). (10:38-15:13 in clip) The Japanese appear to be taking the offensive in an effort to impede American efforts in the Pacific, so they attacked Pearl Harbor. The attack must have used air craft carriers and was very risky, may result in the loss of those carriers, but might also give the Japanese time to carry out operations in the Pacific. Air attack is being made on Manila in the Philippines. Japanese have at least 7 aircraft carriers. They probably concentrated on bombers. It's unknown whether or not a Japanese attempt to land troops on Luzon to back up the Manila attack. It's extremely unlikely the Japanese would land troops on Oahu. The attack on Pearl Harbor is a delaying action. The Japanese policy has been to delay as long as possible on the diplomatic front, and to carry on military preparations in the meantime, gaining as much time as they could. United Press flash, "Oahu Island was attacked today by unidentified airplanes." Oahu is one of the most fortified positions in the world. The Japanese will likely suffer heavy losses to American long-range bombers once their ships are located.

9). John Daly from New York (total time is 16 seconds). (15:13-15:30 in clip). Daly switches to Ford Wilkins in Manila.

10). Ford Wilkins from Manila, Philippines (total time is 1 minute, 19 seconds). (15:30-16:49 in clip). Ford talks about safety, security, danger zones, but not Japanese bombs. He is cut off in mid-sentence [according to Bob Trout, Wilkins was cut off at 2:49].

11). Silence, and then coverage is returned to New York (total time is 29 seconds) (16:49-17:18 in clip).

12). John Daly and Major George Fielding Eliot from New York: (total time is 5 minutes, 52 seconds). (17:18-23:10 in clip). Daly gives more reports of Japanese transports moving toward Thailand and Singapore. Daly asks Major Eliot to speculate on whether the Japanese attacks are meant as cover for an invasion of Thailand. Eliot confirms. They also discuss British fleet in Singapore, whether or not it is strong enough to stop Japanese attack on Thailand. British Borneo shore defenses are discussed. As the Daly and Eliot conversation continues (20:52) it's reported that all policemen and firemen were ordered in a radio broadcast to go to army and navy outposts immediately in Honolulu. Daly asks about distance between Hawaii and Japan and whether or not they could have launched their attack from Japanese possessions in the Pacific. Eliot reaffirms that only carriers could have been used in this large of an attack. Eliot explains why the Japanese would divert some of their forces to attack Hawaii rather than to concentrate their attack on the Philippines. Eliot speculates that the police/fire report may mean that the Japanese locals on Hawaii may be rising.

13). John Daly thanks Major Eliot and introduces Elmer Davis, who was hastily called in to the studio, for more news and analysis (20 seconds). (23:10-23:30 in clip).

14: Elmer Davis from New York. (total time is 4 minutes 47 seconds). (23:30-28:17 in clip) It was a week ago yesterday that the Japanese said they wanted two more weeks of negotiations. We hope that our forces were ready, that the Japanese moves in Hawaii and the Philippines were probably anticipated. Bulletin announcing that President Roosevelt's announcement of air attacks on Pearl Harbor staggered London. They had promised to declare war on Japan if America were attacked. Likely the US will declare war on Japan when Congress reassembles tomorrow. More details from Honolulu: Smoke from antiaircraft fire rose over the Naval yard. Smoke also could be seen in the Hickam Field area, apparently from fires. Witnesses said fires broke out on Ford Island. The Japanese attack was evidently well-planned. Meanwhile, President Roosevelt's message to the Emperor of Japan is one of the questions that's passed into history. The Japanese attack on army and navy installations seems to indicate they were trying to head off the long-range bombers which might take off and attack the Japanese carriers. This doesn't leave much for Nomura and Kurusu to say in Washington. Nomura was well-liked in America, represented the type of Japanese we could have gotten along with if their government was different. Another bulletin from Hawaii, the attack was apparently made by 50 unidentified planes. Their principle targets were Hickam Field, and the great Navy base at Pearl Harbor. Several of the planes were shot down. Again, diplomacy seems to be at an end. Davis discusses the structure of the Japanese government, how when the army came to power it was supposed to make things betters, since they wouldn't be sabotaging decisions made by the civilian government any longer.

15). John Daly From New York: (total time is 55 seconds) (28:17-29:12). Daly thanks Davis, and says that they've been on the telephone with their station KGMB in Honolulu. They report that the attacking planes numbered between 50 and 100, the attack is still on, and antiaircraft fire can be heard as the attacking planes come in. Daly says, "This latest report now, from KGMB, is all that we have to the moment. We will continue to receive reports from there, also from Washington on the developments in our relations with Japan, the relations which will tell very shortly the story that is to happen in the months to come. And Columbia will bring you important news bulletins during the broadcast of the New York Philharmonic Society, which follows this program, and we'll also bring you a summary of all developments during intermission time."

16). CBS Signoff (total time is 4 seconds). (29:12-29:16). Announcer: "This is the Columbia Broadcasting System".